Another Amazing Zero Emission Transport Solution

Fri, Aug 29, 2008

Science/Tech

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Monowheels

Imagine setting out for work on a crisp fall morning and instead of boarding a train, bus or car you climb onto, or rather balance precariously, on the centre of a huge one-wheeled vehicle made for one. This is the monowheel, and it’s one of the most bizarre transport designs which has enthralled inventors for over a century and a half.

Engineers, during brainstorming sessions and design bees, looked at a number of ways of getting the lazy human from A to B. These creations involved pedals, treadles and hand-cranks to power a string of wacky creations, including, velocipedes, bicycles and quadricycles; it was from experimenting with these designs that the monowheel was born.

Monowheel in snow

Dark Roasted Blend writes:

“Just like other human-powered road vehicles of the time, early monowheels were powered either by pedals with a friction-transmission on the outer wheel or hand-cranks directly connected to the wheel axle.”

All engineers need to do now is update the design and figure out how to get the monowheel of the 21st century viable for the roads. We’re guessing it might take some planning so while you’re waiting why not take a look at a few other weird and wonderful monowheel contraptions here.

Source: Dark Roasted Blend

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This post was written by:

Linda McCormick - who has written 175 posts on Environmental Graffiti.

Linda is a writer and editor, currently based in London. Growing up in N Ireland, she craved sunnier climes so set off around the world, forever chasing the sun. On her travels she discovered she was much more passionate about the environment than she realised – although never quite got the whole tree-hugging thing – and has always had a penchant for the unconventional and creative side of life, so working at Environmental Graffiti suits her just fine.

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2 Comments For This Post

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  1. http://autofreight.net/ Says:

    wOw!!!! very unique and very nice looking bike… is this a new version of uni cycle? by the way very nice invention there

  2. Peopleunit Says:

    I’d hate to think what would happen if you hit the brakes too hard. On the other hand, it might be kind of fun! As a kid we used to ride down a hill while snuggled comfortably inside a big old tractor tire. :-)

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